My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

Rachel set the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a

cake is so

‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to

box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake,

head of the group, which happened to be a little girl

the ‘Happy Birthday’

her eyes and make a

Rachel must blow out

that there was no

he still lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

says you have to say it in your heart and not

look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at

the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the

thank you!”

faces. Just like

of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time

important thing right now is to take care of your

Don’t worry about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression

and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since

turned and

her apartment and about to

propped open by

Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more

on

himself, he slid sideways into the house and shut the door

been getting along fine without

she took two steps

at her resentfully, he stalked toward her as he pulled off

suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days,

approached her, forcing her back

no idea what

pulled, she staggered after